UON 50th Anniversary Appeal

The gift of education

At the University of Newcastle (UON) we believe in giving all students the chance to achieve their dreams regardless of their background or experiences.

Donations to the UON 50th Anniversary Appeal fund much-needed Shaping Futures Scholarships for academically dedicated students who are facing hardship or challenges - those students who need it the most.

Donations to the UON 50th Anniversary Appeal help fund Shaping Futures Scholarships for those students who are most in need.

These are students who have health problems and
disabilities or are facing severe financial hardship - students with carer
responsibilities or family problems, or a combination of any of these issues.

The financial assistance from the scholarship can help with expenses such as tuition fees, text books, travel, computer equipment,
medical expenses, food and accommodation.

That's why we established the Shaping
Futures Scholarship Fund to help inspirational students who are determined
to follow their dreams against all odds.

Your donation will help to support these
students and relieve the more extreme economic pressures they face
daily. Through this financial assistance, scholarship recipients will be able
to focus more on their studies and academic achievement.

Giving to a scholarship is so much
more than financial support – it unlocks
potential, gives encouragement and can profoundly impact a student's life. Being awarded a scholarship is also a validation of a student's
ability. The recipient gains a sense of recognition that encourages not
only a greater sense of self-confidence, but a genuine determination to
strive for excellence in their academic study.

The experience of
receiving a scholarship for a disadvantaged student can, quite
literally, be transformational.

Eligible donations to the University of Newcastle of $2 or more are tax deductible in Australia.

Why do we need more scholarships for disadvantaged and gifted students?

Full-time students can pay on average $16,000 per year for tuition
fees. This does not include textbooks, photocopying, computer equipment,
stationary, lab manuals, study materials, travel or living away from home expenses. Living on campus can cost up to $15,000 a year and renting a house can
cost even more.

Around 48 per cent of the Hunter's population comes from low socio-economic
(financially disadvantaged) backgrounds. Close to one-third of our
students fall into this category, almost double the national average
participation rate - that's more than 9,000
students. We are very proud of the support we provide to our
disadvantaged students but we need more help.

Recent research undertaken across all universities in Australia found that two-thirds of undergraduate
students live on income below the poverty line, and that 22.7 per
cent of full-time students were found to regularly skip classes because
they needed to attend employment.*

If we don't help these students they may drop
out - this means their dreams go unfulfilled and their potential undiscovered.

(*Source:Bexley,
E., S. Arkoudis, S. & James, R. (2013). University student finances in
2012: A study of the financial circumstances of domestic and international
students in Australia's universities. Canberra: Universities Australia.)

The Shaping Futures Scholarship Fund was established in 2011 with the aim of helping those students who are most in need.

These scholarships are funded entirely by generous donations from alumni, donors,
businesses and the community.

Anyone can contribute to the fund. Any amount is gratefully received
– no matter how big or small. The more money raised, the more scholarships can be awarded
and the more students will be helped. 100 per cent of donations go directly to the Shaping Futures Fund.

To be eligible for a Shaping Futures Scholarship students need to
be academically capable but also facing hardship from factors such as
being from a low socio-economic background, coming from a rural or
remote area, living with a disability, or have carer or parenting
responsibilities - or a combination of these challenges.

Students must also be enrolled full-time in any year of any undergraduate
degree program. Both international and
domestic students are eligible for this scholarship.

We want students to be able to shape their future and change their lives forever through obtaining an education!

John

John is studying a Bachelor of Nursing. As an
international student he has to pay his university fees up-front. He works long
hours in a nursing home to support his studies.

Growing up in a family of 10
children in Zambia, one of the world's poorest countries, posed many
difficulties for John. He also missed much of his schooling due to a number of bouts
of Malaria. Against the odds he's now in the
final year of his degree.

"It is my dream to become a nurse and honour my deceased parents, who would
have loved to see me graduate. My mother was a community nurse but never had
the chance to gain an education. When I think about realising my dream to
become a fully qualified nurse, tears run down by cheeks. I want to help people
who need help because I myself have been helped."

Marcos

For Marcos, who suffers from cerebral palsy, the financial support of his Shaping Futures Scholarship has made a very tangible difference to him. Marcos says his $4,000 scholarship allowed him to work hard and achieve
top grades to transfer from a Bachelor of Information Technology to a Bachelor
of Computer Science.

He is
currently in his second year and on track for honours with the aim of
eventually undertaking postgraduate studies.

"The scholarship was a huge help to me
and my family. As my physical disability makes it difficult to use public
transport or drive myself, all of my scholarship funds were used towards
transportation costs."

Lisa-Marree

Lisa-Marree was the first person in her
family to attend university, but she almost didn't make it. She left school at the
age of 15 and didn't even complete Year 9. After becoming pregnant at 17 Lisa
thought attending university was out of her reach.

Years later as a married
mother of four children, one of whom suffers from severe autism, Lisa never thought she would someday go to university. But now she is studying to become a podiatrist.

"It's hard to juggle caring for four kids including one with a disability as well as studying.
Receiving this scholarship meant I didn't have to worry so much about finances
and I could concentrate on my grades. I am dedicating myself to
self-improvement not just for me but for my whole family. I'm proud that my
children see me as a role-model."

Alissa

Alissa is a high achieving Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
/ Bachelor of Commerce student. Life hasn't dealt Alissa an easy hand. She cares for her
mother who has had a kidney transplant after suffering for a long time from a
hereditary kidney condition.

Alissa works in three casual jobs to help support her family. Alissa also has to battle with her own medical condition, which means she requires frequent medical appointments.

"I believe my hardships have made me mentally
stronger and more determined to succeed. Receiving a Shaping Futures
Scholarship allowed me to work less at my casual jobs, which meant I could
attend all my classes and focus on my studies without having constant financial
burdens and stress on my mind."

Equity of access is part of our DNA here at the University of Newcastle.

I am constantly inspired by the drive of our students to succeed. They are a testament to the transformative power of education. But some of our students are struggling more than others. They face more challenges than most. If we don't help these students they may drop out - this means their dreams go unfulfilled and their potential undiscovered.

We established the Shaping Futures Scholarship Fund in 2011 to help these students who are determined to follow their dreams against all odds. But every year the number of applications is increasing.

It is my personal commitment to keep our doors open to people from all
walks of life with ability and determination to enter and succeed in higher education,
especially for those who are facing a myriad of challenges.

The Shaping Futures Scholarship
Fund is a strategic priority for our University. We are committed to growing
the fund to ensure that it is large enough to allow for a sustainable approach
well into the future - to support those most in need of our help.

However, I need your help. Almost
27 per cent of our students are from a low socio-economic background,
significantly higher than the national average of 16 per cent. That's more
than 9,000 students of our students.

Access to education can not only change the lives of students but also
their families and the communities that benefit from
their achievements. Giving to a scholarship is so much more than
financial support - it also gives encouragement, profoundly impacting a student's life.

All of the Shaping Futures Scholarship recipients have
something in common – they have taken a step towards transforming their lives
through higher education. They just needed that little extra support to reach
their full potential.

If you are a past student, a current or former staff member, a donor or a supporter of the University of Newcastle I would encourage you to give to this very worthy cause. You can directly help a student achieve their goals and dreams.

Professor Geoffrey Evans

"When I received the information about the Shaping Futures Scholarship Fund I was delighted to see that the University had taken on such an initiative. I thought this is just fantastic; this is really a meaningful thing. We are helping those students most in need. As a UON staff member I am passionate about helping students and see it as a very worthwhile cause."

Keryl Kavanagh

"I've seen first-hand the challenges that so many students face. Giving to the Shaping Futures Scholarship Fund is just a small but very tangible way I could help. I've seen it over and over again - a student who receives help from a scholarship today overcomes their hurdles, goes on to achieve an education and then makes an impact on all of those around them."

Peter Brecht

"I chose to give where I feel connected. As a graduate I gave to my university, my community. There just aren't enough scholarships for these amazing students to go around and they are crying out for help.
For me it's the quiet knowledge of having done something that can change one person's life forever."

How do I make a donation?

There are a number of ways you can make a donation. The University of Newcastle can accept donations via credit card, electronic funds transfer (EFT), cheque or money order.

ONLINE

You can make a donation to help our talented but disadvantaged students via our secure website.

CONTACT US

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University of Newcastle is committed to upholding the Privacy
and Personal Information Protection Act 1998. Your
personal information will be securely stored. As we value your privacy we do not make your
personal information available to any other organisations outside the
University of Newcastle. For more information visit our governance webpage here.

Tax Deductibility Information

Donations to the
University of Newcastle may be eligible deductions for income tax purposes
under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. The donation, once made, is under the University of Newcastle's sole direction and control. Receipts will be issued according to the individual or company name as indicated and contact details may be used to update the University of Newcastle's records.